Catholics in Turkey question official explanation of bishop's murder

Catholics in Turkey, mourning the murder of Bishop Luigi Padovese, are raising questions about the official explanation for the killing.

Murat Altun, who had been the bishop's driver, has confessed to the stabbing murder. Police say that Altun is mentally unstable.

But in a country where the Christian minority has suffered violence and intimidation at the hands of Islamic extremists, some Catholics note that several recent violent attacks-- such as the murder of Father Andrea Santoro in February 2006-- have been attributed to young men who were described as emotionally unstable, and later revealed to be linked with Islamic militants.

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This is a real catastrophy for the church in Turkey and against God and the bishop and all others who have been martyred in like manner. May God be with the Catholic faithful, bishops, & priests in Turkey.
May God forgive the assailants and bring them to contrition for these acts.